Ripple CTO Warns of Potential Supply Shortages in Early Days of Ripple’s Stablecoin Due to Large Orders

Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), David Schwartz, has cautioned that Ripple’s upcoming US dollar-pegged stablecoin, RippleUSD (RLUSD), may face supply shortages upon launch.

In a recent post on X, Schwartz warned of potential price volatility due to large orders despite the stablecoin’s 1:1 parity with the US dollar.

Schwartz revealed that pre-market activity had already sparked speculative bids for RLUSD, with some offers inflating its perceived value.

1 RLUSD Traded for Around 511 XRP

He responded to a screenshot shared on X showing a bid valuing 1 RLUSD at around 511 XRP—equivalent to $1,244 at current XRP prices—on a Ripple-linked wallet named Xaman.

Schwartz downplayed the anomaly, suggesting it was likely driven by a user seeking “the honor” of being the first to purchase RLUSD.

“But rest assured, the price will come back to very close to $1 as soon as supply stabilizes. If it doesn’t, something is very seriously wrong,” he wrote.

“Please don’t FOMO into a stablecoin! This is not an opportunity to get rich.”

WOW! 💥

XAMAN SHOWS 1 RLUSD = 511 #XRP 👀 pic.twitter.com/1dBodfNnFp

— 𝓐𝓶𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮 (@_Crypto_Barbie) December 11, 2024

Ripple’s plans for RLUSD gained momentum after CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced on December 11 that the New York Department of Financial Services had granted final approval for the stablecoin’s issuance.

Ripple’s official X account confirmed that RLUSD’s launch was “coming soon.”

RLUSD is set to play a key role in Ripple’s cross-border payments strategy, operating alongside the company’s native cryptocurrency, XRP.

The stablecoin’s integration into Ripple’s payments network aims to enhance liquidity and reduce the risk of depegging.

Ripple President Monica Long previously stated that RLUSD’s design is “complementary and additive” to XRP.

Industry insiders see the move as a strategic step to strengthen XRP’s role in the payments ecosystem.

By pairing RLUSD with XRP, Ripple aims to leverage XRP’s widespread availability on exchanges to support liquidity for the stablecoin.

CEO Brad Garlinghouse has said that RLUSD’s primary focus will be on institutional players, indicating a strategic push toward large-scale financial market participants.

Ripple Labs CEO Faces Backlash for Shilling XRP and CBDCs in Alleged Trump Meeting

Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse has recently come under fire after rumors surfaced of a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump where he promoted XRP and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

At the time, former Messari CEO Ryan Selkis accused Garlinghouse of “shilling XRP and CBDC implementations.”

Speculation about the meeting’s role in the rally has added fuel to the ongoing controversy.

During a recent Fox Business appearance, Garlinghouse declined to confirm or deny the meeting but praised Trump’s relationship with the crypto industry.

“Trump has embraced the crypto industry, and I think he recognizes its potential for innovation and entrepreneurship,” Garlinghouse said, expressing optimism about the sector’s future under the new administration.

Garlinghouse also noted the market’s positive response to Trump’s election victory, citing the hostile stance of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler as a major factor suppressing U.S.-based crypto projects.

Trump’s promise to fire Gensler on his first day in office has garnered widespread support from crypto enthusiasts.